Welcome to E-IMPACCT at www.ElderlyConstipation.org,

CME/CE
PROGRAMS

Home

About Us

Advisory Panel

Certificates of Excellence

PORTALS

Ask The Experts

Self-Diagnosing Patients 12/11/2008

Sometimes, patients come to me thinking they have chronic constipation when they don't. How do you handle these patients?

I tend to believe the patient. If they say they are constipated, take it on face value and try to help them. Share with them the Bristol Stool Scale as a starting off point. Find out what they mean by "being constipated." Use the broader definition supported by the American College of Gastroenterology rather than the Rome III criteria that are used for research studies. Assess their particular concerns and proceed as indicated. You might even be able to tell them what doesn't work just as much as you can tell them what might work.

Eric G. Tangalos, MD, FACP, AGSF, CMD
Professor of Medicine
Mayo Clinic College of Medicine
Rochester, MN

Ask a Question»

Glycerin vs. Bisacodyl Suppositories

Glycerine vs. Bisacodyl

Self-Diagnosing Patients

Choosing an Enema

Functional Subtypes of Constipation

The E-IMPACCT (Elderly IMProvements & Advances in Chronic Constipation Treatment) educational initiative is sponsored through a collaboration of ASCP, AKH Inc., and Medical Communications Media, Inc.

Supported by an educational grant from Sucampo Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America, Inc.